The judges were unable to separate the Germans Paulina Pazek and Jule Maria Hake from the Hungarians Noemie Popp and Sara Fojt in the final women's double 500m kayak final. Both crews received the bronze medal.

The tension from the long wait was replaced by joy as both teams celebrated the award.

Hake, one of the four bronze medalists who crowded onto the stage to hold a press event, told reporters that it was an emotional rollercoaster for everyone, but especially the Hungarians. "First, it showed us third, then the Hungarians were fourth and just a few minutes later, we were both third, then it went down, then up and it was really incredible," Hake said.

She added, "I think that we are both happy because we know how it would have been to finish fourth. I think that we both deserve the bronze medal and I am really, really pleased to share the podium together with the Hungarians."

The race was won by New Zealand in 1:37.28, and the second place went to the Hungarian team of Tamara Csipes & Alida Dora gazso. But the wait for the third place crew took longer than the actual race.

Pupp and Fojt were part of a four-paddler team that won the bronze medal in Thursday's 500m K4 race. They came strong in the final stages of the race, but had to wait for their fate, even though they finished in 1:39.46, exactly the same time as the Germans.

The Hungarian paddler Fojt described the moment as "a very special one". She said that the German girls had been the first to come up and tell us, "don't worry, you've got it. You got the bronze yesterday" and were also the ones who jumped up on us after we finished third.

Hake, the German duo who appeared calmer than the other two Germans, was still deliberating as the judges were.

She replied, "I think it's my appearance." "I tried to support Paulina at this time because we're a team. We are friends. We are friends.

"I try to relax because I know how difficult this situation is for her, me and the Hungarians." I try to calm her down, like a rock. (Reporting and editing by Clare Fallon; Philip O'Connor, Reporting)

(source: Reuters)